No special skills required but you should definitively be an animal lover and not fear any particular animals. You should be comfortable living a simple life, isolated from civilization, and surrounded by the Amazon rainforest with its wildlife and nature.

Accommodation

Shared rooms in Volunteer House

Food

Full-board

Location

About 6 hours southeast of Quito in the Amazon region in the Pastaza province. The closest town is Puyo, about 60 minutes by bus/car.

Climate

Average of 25 °C (77 °F) during the day, and 17 °C (63 °F) during night time, year round. Tropical climate, rainy throughout the year with peaks in August and between December and March.

*We would like to point out that in South America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer work projects take place, Internet and/or cellular radio systems do not always work reliably.

The center where this volunteer project takes place is located in Colonia Bolivar, an indigenous community in the Ecuadorian rainforest that is 22 miles outside of the town of Puyo. It provides breathtaking panoramas of the Amazon jungle and is the perfect base for an unforgettable stay and cultural immersion experience in Ecuador.

Puyo is located in the province of Pastaza, in the eastern part of the country. It is a small colonial town with a population of approximately 30,000 people. It has the infrastructure that welcomes tourists that come to admire the beauty surrounding this unique destination. This is one of the most commercial towns in the Amazon region of Ecuador. The local village of El Triunfo is located 15 minutes away by bus from the project site and has very basic shops, with a couple of local bars. For restaurants, supermarkets, and Internet, volunteers need to travel to Puyo instead. Some people in the local community also have small shops that operate out of their homes for specific needs or cravings. This volunteer project takes place in a sanctuary for wild animals that have been victims of illegal animal trafficking and those that were saved from dangerous conditions. The center rescues animals, rehabilitates them and, ideally, releases them back into their natural habitat. Volunteers in Ecuador work directly in the local natural environment, and your support as a volunteer contributes greatly to their ongoing efforts. You will experience nature and animals up-close while contributing to their protection and conservation. The projects also cooperate with local indigenous Indian communities of the Amazon.

Although the animal rescue center is in the Amazon rainforest, you will not feel suffocated by the heat. The temperatures are quite temperate, and at night, can even be a little cool. From Ecuador’s capital, Quito, it takes you about 7 hours to get to the center in the Amazon Rainforest by bus. A little bit of background information: Although the work of the animal rescue center may appear miniscule, the efforts they carry out are very important. The Amazon jungle in Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil, and other fragile ecosystems in Central America, Mexico, Argentina, and Paraguay, have become the main sources of wild species trafficking. Reptiles, panthers, parrots, boa and python snakes, monkeys, birds, and butterflies are just some of the wildlife species danger of extinction due to human abuse. Although the illegal trade of wildlife is regulated in many countries, an estimated one-third of the annual 25-billion-dollar industry of animal sales is illegal - an illicit business surpassed only by arms and drugs trafficking. Annually, over 50 million wild animals are captured from their natural habitat in the Amazon region. An alarming 90% of these poor animals die in the process of being caught or during transportation to their destination country, mainly Europe or the United States. The situation of these poor and defenseless creatures is absolutely heartbreaking. The Amazon Jungle is the world's largest rainforest and has the most diverse flora and fauna on Earth. Experts say that animal trafficking is destroying the delicate ecosystem in the Amazon at a time when the rainforest is already facing an increasing threat due to deforestation caused by controversial plans for new roads, gas pipelines, and other development projects.

Stay Abroad in EcuadorWhy do volunteer work in Ecuador? Read more about the country and people, and see why Ecuador is a great destination for volunteering in South America.

The animal rescue center in Ecuador currently cares for about 70 animals (number subject to change!), which include monkeys, such as the Squirrel Monkey, Woolly Monkey, Titi Monkey, and Capuchin Monkeys. They also have Peccaries (musk-hog), and other carnivores, such as the Coati, Tayra, and Kinkajou. There are also tortoises, snakes, turkeys, and many species of parrots, including Macaws and Toucans. An average week for a volunteer involves cleaning cages and feeding the animals on a daily basis and, if needed, constructing and maintaining cages and enclosures. There are also observation and enrichment projects where you are encouraged to spend a couple of days observing the behavior of your chosen animal. You can then build a toy or game for the animal in order to observe how it is used and how it benefits the animal. This work is valuable to the animals, as it relieves the boredom of their captivity and is a contribution that volunteers really enjoy. Since the volunteers must develop these enrichment projects, it is important that they are proactive and creative. As a volunteer in Ecuador, it’s important that you have the desire to work outdoors and a passion for the animals.

You are responsible for the welfare and day-to-day care of the animals and facility. In addition to daily feeding and cleaning duties, volunteers will also take part in construction and maintenance work to improve the animal’s living conditions. If you have experience in any area of conservation or have veterinary experience, the center would greatly benefit from your knowledge and participation in this project. The rescue center will try to accommodate any interests that you have. If you enjoy taking care of animals, we encourage you to spend some time helping the animal rescue center. The volunteers that the center receives are a great support to the work the employees carry out on a daily basis. All ideas or suggestions from volunteers are welcome, and many have been implemented in the past. The more time and effort you are willing to put into this project, the more will get back in return!

Typically, you will work Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm (subject to changes!). On Saturdays, a couple of hours are required to clean the volunteer house and feed the animals, and then you are free for the weekend to explore the country around you. Please keep in mind that the work schedule may vary depending on the number of volunteers in the project, climate, and other special situations. Volunteers should be flexible and lend a hand where needed. Days off and free time should be discussed as a team, keeping in mind not only one’s personal interests, but also those of the project, other volunteers, and supervisors.

During your stay, you will gain unique experience working with animals that need your help, dedication, and love. In addition, you will enjoy spending your days in a friendly, cozy environment in the beautiful outdoors of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Amongst volunteers and the staff, you will find friendship, companionship, time to rest, and plenty of laughs, making memories that last a lifetime.

The volunteer accommodations in Ecuador are in wooden bungalows that feature dorm style rooms. The bungalows have showers (only cold water), which are a real luxury after a hard day's work. Separated from the dorms is a kitchen and living room. The kitchen is fully stocked and has a gas oven and filtered drinking water on tap. The living room has sofas and chairs for volunteers where volunteers can relax. A book exchange is available as well. Outside, a thatched area gives volunteers the opportunity to spend the evenings hanging out in hammocks.

Volunteers take turns to wash up, clean the house, etc. In the evenings, the volunteers cook, eat, and talk about their days with each other. Vegetarians join the project regularly, so the project is able to adapt to different people's preferences. All volunteers get together to make a food list (basic items) for the week that accommodates everyone's various tastes. Volunteers will need to purchase specific things, such as beverages and snacks, on their own. Please keep in mind that you live directly in the Amazon Jungle, so no luxuries should be expected!

The ability to communicate in English is essential for the project as it is the primary language used by all volunteers. However, the local staff only speaks Spanish, so at least basic Spanish skills are very useful, and encouraged, as well. The center only has electricity that is provided by a gas generator. Therefore, 24/7 electricity cannot be guaranteed and will only available for a couple of hours each day. There is no Internet access at the center or volunteer house due the project’s remote location in the jungle.

Volunteers can use Internet Cafes in the surrounding towns and/or use their days off to travel to Puyo.